So I got Chessmaster 10, and right now I am doing the Academy, and so far it has given me two puzzles where I have to checkmate the black king. The first one was with a queen and a king, and the second one is with a rook and a king. So far I have only been able to check mate one time with a king and a queen. All the other times I either got my rook captured, or I end up in stalemate. I dunno if I either need to do these puzzles over and over until I get proficient at it, do I need to learn some technique using the two set of pieces, or if I need to learn more about how to make a check-mate.

So I got Chessmaster 10, and right now I am doing the Academy, and so far it has given me two puzzles where I have to checkmate the black king. The first one was with a queen and a king, and the second one is with a rook and a king. So far I have only been able to check mate one time with a king and a queen. All the other times I either got my rook captured, or I end up in stalemate. I dunno if I either need to do these puzzles over and over until I get proficient at it, do I need to learn some technique using the two set of pieces, or if I need to learn more about how to make a check-mate.

Any advice, or suggestions?

Endgame training is the most important training there is. Without that you often can't end the game in a win. Which, after all, is the whole point of chess :)

The basics for KR vs K is: cut off the playing field of the opposing king with your rook, move in with your own king to push the opponent's king back, then slice of another file of rank with your rook until you are at the edge of the board. There you'll deliver the checkmate.

Taking the opposition with your king is very important; in combination with the rook it leaves your opponent no other option than to move further back.